Taxi Driver Online

Taxi applicant has knife record

A VALE man who has two convictions for knife possession was granted a taxi driver’s licence last week after council chiefs were convinced he had changed his ways.

Ross McKinney recently applied for a temporary licence and appeared before West Dunbartonshire Council’s licensing committee last Wednesday.

The committee heard that McKinney also has convictions for cannabis possession and for not wearing a seatbelt when driving — all of which he failed to declare on his taxi licence application form.

However, police officers informed the licensing committee that McKinney, of Strathleven Drive, was sentenced to community service in 2005 at Dumbarton Sheriff Court for carrying a knife.

A year later he was back at the same court for the same offence, aswell as a charge of possessing cannabis, and was ordered to carry out a further 100 hours of community service.

In December 2009 he was fined at Dumbarton’s Justice of the Peace Court for possession of cannabis and was fined again in May 2013 for not wearing a seatbelt in the car.

Police did not object to the taxi licence being granted, but made a representation so the committee were fully aware of McKinney’s past.

The applicant attended last week’s licensing committee with his uncle Paul Wishart, who spoke on his behalf.

Mr Wishart told licensing councillors that McKinney regretted committing the offences, the most serious of which occurred around 10 years ago when he was off the rails.

Mr Wishart added: “He had a period where he wasn’t a model citizen despite the best efforts of his mum and dad to get him on the straight and narrow. In the last two years he has gone to college to do an apprenticeship and is in the second year of a course to be a mechanic.

“He goes to college Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and he just needs a job that can fit round his studies.

“He is in a steady relationship now which has been a calming influence on him. He has also become an uncle for the second time and has taken responsibility for his niece and nephew.

“This is a chance for him to do something positive and make a difference and contribute to society.”

Licensing committee chairman, Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, told McKinney: “I’m minded to grant the licence, given what your uncle has said on your behalf.

“Take this opportunity that has been afforded to you.”

The temporary licence runs for six weeks before another application must be submitted.

- See more at: http://www.dumbartonreporter.co.uk/news ... yMZRn.dpuf

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Is it Mac the knife?

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Former taxi driver

I bet they don't give him another one after 6 weeks.

McKinney is a reformed character or so he claims and being a taxi driver is the bottom of the food chain, so why not give him the chance? What's the worst this guy can do

Oh and btw, this is Dumbarton...

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

The Licensing committee need bringing to book over this.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Again, the headline "Taxi applicant has knife record" might not reflect the truth - and "knife possession" is not exactly stabbing someone is it? Fair to give someone an extra chance provided it is a genuine case - a very close eye needs to be kept on him though - he should know he will not get another chance.

When someone gets classed under a certain offence it might sound much worse than it actually is - eg was footballer Ched Evans really a 'rapist' - some shenanigans went on, then a woman reported it as rape to claim compo, but ruining someone's life in the process.

On the other hand some murderers have come out after 10-15 years then soon murdered again - that crime maybe should NOT get a second chance - the murderous temper is still there and a danger to society.

McKinney is a reformed character or so he claims and being a taxi driver is the bottom of the food chain, so why not give him the chance? What's the worst this guy can do

STICK THE KNIFE IN SOMEONE

Oh and btw, this is Dumbarton... [/quote] YEH WHAT A FEKKING KARSIE STRANGELY ENOUGH THIS COCKNEYS HAS BEEN THERE, TO MEET CABBIES ...............MOSTLY BRAIN DEAD ORANGE KKUNTS 800 MILE ROUND TRIP TO MEET THE KKUNTS FFS WHAT A WASTE OF TIME

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